The last regular season race for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series teams is of great importance to Spencer Massey and the Battery Extender Powered by Schumacher Top Fuel team.

Not only does the team need a confidence booster, there is no greater stage in NHRA drag racing than Indianapolis.

The 60th annual U.S. Nationals is widely considered the sport's most prestigious event and Spencer is looking to add a trophy from the Indianapolis event to his collection of 16 NHRA Wallys.

The Battery Extender team led by crew chiefs Phil Shuler and Todd Okuhara spent two days testing at the multi-purpose facility last week to prepare for the race dubbed the "Big Go."

Over two days, Spencer made six passes with his best run of 3.791 sec., at 323.19 mph giving them confidence for Friday evening qualifying at the U.S. Nationals this weekend.

"We made some good runs, made some bad runs," Spencer said. "But we learned from it and that's why we do it. We tried some new things and just worked on our tune-up. The races don't get any bigger than Indy but it's also important to get some momentum going for the Countdown."

The six-race Countdown to the Championship playoff kicks off on Sept. 12 near Charlotte where only the top-10 in Top Fuel standings will have a chance to win the series title.

The Battery Extender team has struggled throughout the last nine NHRA Mello Yello events with only four round wins in those events.

"We've been struggling, there is no doubt about it. Although we lost in the second round at Brainerd (two weeks ago), we really felt like we had our consistently, quick dragster back.

"Indy is important for us to build some momentum, get back our confidence in the car and just be ready when the Countdown starts."

On Saturday, Spencer and the Battery Extender team will compete for their second Traxxas Nitro Shootout victory that pays $100,000 to the winning team. The team won the inaugural specialty race in 2012 and also was runner-up in race day eliminations.

"We know how awesome it is to win that race because we've done it," Spencer said. "And it was special. It's fun, it's different and it's only once a year so it makes it that much more special. We want to do it again."

SPENCER MASSEY: Battery Extender Powered by Schumacher
Last event Brainerd (Aug. 17): Qualified No. 7; lost in quarterfinals to Doug Kalitta
A year ago at U.S. Nationals: Qualified No. 11; lost in first round to Billy Torrence
Career at U.S. Nationals: Wins 0; Runner-ups 1 (2012); Poles 0

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